If you own an automatic weapon (handgun), properly registered, and stored in your home locker or bedside table - loaded - is it a crime?
Lars I don't believe any "automatic weapons" are legal in Canada. Semi-automatic yes but not fully automatic.
It would also be illegal to store your handgun in your bedside table (unless it was locked and secured in it somehow) and no gun can every be stored or unattended while its loaded. In fact the gun and ammunition must be stored in separate locked boxes or cases. These violations would all result in breaking the law.
He did mention it was registered. So "how could youy register an illegal weapon?" is the question that comes to my mind. But as many said, it should not be left loaded, and should not be in an unlocked bed table.
Of course Lars never said this was his handgun. He didn't even say it belonged to someone in Canada. Does the gun even belong to someone in Canada? It wouldn't be illegal in the USA.
" ... If you own an automatic weapon (handgun), properly registered, and stored in your home locker or bedside table - loaded - is it a crime? ..."
That one's easy. Since automatic weapons are prohibited in Canada, it's a criminal offense to be in possession of one.
Since storing firearms of any kind while loaded is a criminal offense in Canada, even if the weapon is otherwise lawfully in your possession, we've got two charges.
Whether it's properly stored in a properly lockable and sturdy container is moot, since we've already charged you with Unsafe Storage of a Firearm (see "loaded" above), and that charge covers both issues.
So, obviously, the weapon is "properly registered" in some other nation, not here.
Lars,
I think the bigger question is why do you have an automatic handgun stored, loaded, in your beside table?
I don't.
Just to clarify, this is mostly to spark my curiosity. I don't own a weapon of any kind, stored anywhere. However, judging by the answers I received, I'm assuming the following:
1) Semi-automatic handguns are legal
2) Weapon must be unloaded, and locked away
3) Ammo for same weapon must be locked away, in a different storage bin
Correct?
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Just to clarify, this is mostly to spark my curiosity. I don't own a weapon of any kind, stored anywhere. However, judging by the answers I received, I'm assuming the following:
1) Semi-automatic handguns are legal
2) Weapon must be unloaded, and locked away
3) Ammo for same weapon must be locked away, in a different storage bin
Correct?
For the most part that is correct... and it highlights one of the main reasons why you should NOT have handguns in the house. Many will argue the utility of a handgun in home defense. If you are a law abiding gun owner and store your gun and ammo separately under lock and key you certainly would never have the time to collect and load your weapon to defend you home against any potential assailant.
Lars... it may be curiosity, but there is NO reason why any Canadian needs to have a handgun.
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